Biodiversity is the foundation of all healthy ecosystems but, on many Pacific islands, invasive species are destroying native plants and animals, causing entire ecosystems to collapse. Removing invasive predators such as rats is a nature-based solution that can help to restore the resilience of island ecosystems by supporting the return of seabird populations and the vital nutrients they provide for forest systems and coral reefs. We know that on islands without rats the coral reef systems can provide up to 50% more fish for local communities. Island Conservation, the lead for the Predator Free Pacific programme, is supported by key PRISMSS partners including BirdLife International and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Together these organizations have now eradicated invasive predators from over 60 Pacific islands. The growing success of the Predator Free Pacific programme is based on combining global eradication expertise with local knowledge and efforts to build greater community awareness and ownership of the ongoing benefits of restoring the resilience of island ecosystems.

Leading Technical Partners

1. Island Conservation

Island Conservation is the lead PRISMSS technical partner for this regional programme with support by BirdLife International. Island Conservation is the only charitable organization solely dedicated to removing invasive species on islands to prevent extinctions. To maximise its impact, Island Conservation works where the concentration of biodiversity and species extinction is greatest – islands. Since 1994, Island Conservation and partners have deployed teams to protect more than 400 species on 63 islands making the organisation one of the most world's most effective in terms of species saved per dollar spent. The benefits of Island Conservation's work go beyond biodiversity.  By restoring islands, the marine environment, island communities, and livelihoods can thrive and be more resilient to other emerging conservation threats.

Current projects:

Implemented by Island Conservation in the Pacific includes;

• Cat eradication feasibility assessment Ngeruktabel
• Implementation of Biosecurity for Kayangel
• Kayangel Restoration
• Ulithi rat and mangrove monitor eradication
• Wallis Capacity Development and Community Consultation

2. BirdLife International

BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, by working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.  Each of the 121 BirdLife Partners is an independent environmental not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation. BirdLife and BirdLife Partners have eradicated introduced vertebrates from over 30 tropical Pacific islands. These successes are built from a foundation of combining local knowledge with eradication expertise, building support and growing local capacity with, lessons and successes informing good practice internationally. Programmatic priorities for BirdLife in the Pacific include the identification and protection of high biodiversity areas (Important Bird Areas and Key Biodiversity Areas); recovery programmes for threatened birds and other biodiversity; building capacity for conservation and; addressing invasive alien species threats. 

Current projects:

Implemented by BirdLife in the Pacific includes;

• Acteron & Gambier Biosecurity
• Rapa Biosecurity
• Rennell Rat IS & Biosecurity Assessment
• Rapa Goat eradication
• Gau Island vertebrate control
• Rotuma Myna eradication & biosecurity